Stephanie’s Story

Stephanie is starting her career in the same place where she started her education – the very same elementary school in Queens that she attended as a kid.

“I am going to be a family worker there, so basically a social worker. The school goes from kindergarten all the way through fifth grade. I’ll be able to help the kids with lots of things – family needs, issues, questions – all of that.”

Her favorite part about her new job is that she can be there for kids in a way that she did not experience herself. “I’ll be a mentor for them. It’s what I’ve wanted to do my entire life, because I didn’t have that growing up, so I feel like that’s what I wanted to do with my life – help those in need.”

In fact, you might say it is in her genes. “My aunt is a social worker, too. Before I went on the interview, she encouraged me to just be myself and be genuine and ‘people will love you as you are,’ and it worked.”

Turns out that there were a few familiar faces when she arrived for her interview. “As soon as I got into the office at the school, I started recognizing some of the office staff and some of the teachers that I had. It was really nice. I feel like there’s good energy there.”

On top of her new job, Stephanie is also going to school for social work – she is currently half-way through her Bachelors for Human Services.